jjares reviewed on 9/10/2019 + 3413 more book reviews

This author has a firm grasp on the nuances of the Boston-area after the Civil War.  People who fought in the war may have come back a shadow of themselves but the wealthy Northerners generally managed to become more wealthy.  Credo of the times:  Money could solve all problems.
 
Nell Sweeney has become governess to a youngster, Gracie, whom the Hewitt family adopted at birth.  Nell is an Irish Catholic immigrant who has spent more time than she cares to admit on the seamier side of life.  All she wants is to remain part of the Hewitt household and take care of Gracie.  Her stability is threatened when the Hewitts find out that one of the two sons they thought had died in the Civil War did not die at Andersonville.  He's been found in Boston and is charged with murder.  Because Mr. Hewitt wants to let Will hang, Mrs. Hewitt uses Nell to thwart his plan.

'Unique' is the word I would choose to describe this story. This story is character-driven and I couldn't put it down.  I also have rushed out to find the next books in this series. 

Gilded Age Mystery
**1. Still Life with Murder (2003)
2.Murder in a Mill Town (2004)
3.Death on Beacon Hill (2005)
4.Murder on Black Friday (2005)
5.Murder in the North End (2006)
6.A Bucket of Ashes (2007) 

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details